Spinning machine and method

ABSTRACT

A spinning machine has a rotary spinning chamber whose inner circumferential surface annularly surrounds its axis of rotation and diverges from an open side of the spinning chamber towards a transverse surface extending transversely to the axis and provided with an axial recess into which air-escape channels open. A liquid is admitted into the open side of the chamber so that it becomes deposited as a liquid layer on the inner surface of the chamber and the transverse surface is provided with a plurality of liquid-escape apertures for the escape of excess liquid, these apertures surrounding the axis of rotation. Fibers are admitted into the chamber for deposition on the inner circumferential surface of the chamber and in the liquid of the layer, to thereupon become converted into a yarn which is then withdrawn from the chamber. The liquid may be a dye, a yarntreating agent, a yarn-sizing agent, an antistatic agent or the like, but serves primarily to exert drag on the fibers as the yarn is withdrawn, and may only secondarily be a treating agent.

I United States Patent 1151 3,659,410

Barochovsky et al. 1 May 2, 1972 54 SPINNING MACHINE AND METHOD2,972,221 2/1961 Wilke et al ..57/58.89 x Inventors: Ammvlin Bamchovsky;Ladislav Hmek; 3,597,911 8/1971 Sch1ltknecht ..57/58.89 X

ps Kruhlq Smuly Nad Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath f i 9"?Trebovai Assistant Examiner-Wemer l-l. Schroeder Mllos Wllfelt, Usu NadOrl1c1, Czecho- An0mey MiCh-ae| striker Slovakia [73] Assignee: VyzkumnyUstav Banlnarsky, Usti nad Or- [57] ABSTRACT Czecmslovakia A spinningmachine has a rotary spinning chamber whose [22] Filed: Jan. 18 1971inner circumferential surface annularly surrounds its axis of rotationand diverges from an open side of the spinning [21] Appl. No.: 107,361chamber towards a transverse surface extending transversely to the axisand provided with an axial recess into which airescape channels open. Aliquid is admitted into the open side [30] Foreign Apphcamn Pnomy Dam ofthe chamber so that it becomes deposited as a liquid layer Mar. 9, 1970Czechoslovakia l 54 1 [70 on the inner surface of the chamber and thetransverse surface is provided with a plurality of liquid-escapeapertures for the 52 U.S. c1 ..57/5s.s9, 57/35, 57/164 escape of excessliquid, these apertures Surrounding the axis of 51 1111.01. ..00111 1/12rotation Fibers are admitted into the Chamber for deposition 58 Field ofSearch ..57/35, 58.89, 58.91, 58.93, on the inner circumferentialsurface ofthe chamber and in the 57/5895 64 liquid of the layer, tothereupon become converted into a yarn which is then withdrawn from thechamber. The liquid may be [56] References cited a dye, a yam-treatingagent, a yam-sizing agent, an antistatic agent or the like, but servesprimarily to exert drag on the NI STATES N S fibers as the yarn iswithdrawn, and may only secondarily be a treating agent. 2,817,94712/1957 Strang ..57/58.89 UX 2,853,847 9/1958 Keeler et al ..57/58.89 X11 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 2M2 m f r A ZZZ u 03 r m u v Lun 3 Haw? awn" w 00 I We? 0 0 ATTORNEY SPINNING MACHINE AND METHODBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally tothe spinning of fibers into yarn, and more particularly to an improvedfiberspinning method. The invention also relates to an improvedapparatus for carrying out the method.

It is known in so-called open-end or spindleless spinning of fibers, tosupply the separated or carded fibers into the interior of asubstantially cup-shaped rotating spinning chamber so that they becomedeposited on a fiber-collecting surface provided in the interior andannularly surrounding the axis of rotation of the chamber. Under theinfluence of centrifugal force this deposition takes place and thefibers become converted into a yarn which is then withdrawn from thechamber. To facilitate insertion of the fibers into the chamber, thelatter is provided with a plurality of air-escape apertures or ventsthrough which air rushes out under the influence of the centrifugalforce resulting from rapid rotation of the spinning chamber, so that anunderpressure develops in the interior of the chamber which serves todraw fibers into the latter.

These spinning chambers are known in a variety of types andconfigurations. Thus, it is known to provide the spinning chambers witha smooth fiber-collecting surface on which the fibers become depositedfor conversion into a yarn. Again, it is known to provide such spinningchambers with a fiber-collecting surface which is provided withneedle-like projections and with openings. In any case, however, theseparated fibers fed into the respective chamber become deposited on thefibercollecting surface thereof in the form of a ribbon of fibers whichis continuously wrapped and twisted about its longitudinal axis by thefact that the chamber rotates and that yarn is constantly beingwithdrawn from the rotating chamber. If the collecting surface issmooth, the yarn obtained usually has a lesser strength than that whichis obtained by conventional yarn spinning devices, that is by thering-traveller system. Also, if the fiber-collecting surface is smooth,a phenomenon occurs which is known as the opposite wrapping of the fiberribbon, meaning that the ribbon tends to twist in a direction reverse oropposite to the rotary motion of the spinning chamber. This results in asubstantial and undesired reduction of the yarn strength as is known tothose skilled in this field.

It is for this reason that the type of rotary spinning chamber wasdeveloped which utilizes a fiber collecting surface provided withneedle-like projections. The purpose is that these projections willexert a greater force upon the fibers being withdrawn, with the forceacting in such a manner as to increase the axial tension in the yarn andthus to increase its strength. It was found, however, that in actualfact this type of spinning chamber also does not provide the desiredimprovement. The yarn is less uniform when produced in this type ofspinning chamber and the increase in strength obtained has not been assignificant as had been hoped. Also, the spinning of finei.e.,high-quality-yams has not become possible with this type of rotaryspinning chamber because the increased axial tension frequently resultsin yarn breakage and a consequent deterioration of the yarn quality.This latter type of chamber is, however, very expensive to produce, aconsideration which is an additional disadvantage to be added to theones just outlined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the presentinvention to provide improvements over what has been set forth above andwhat is known from the prior art.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved method of spinning yarn from fibers in a rotary spinningchamber.

Still more specifically it is an object of the present invention toprovide such an improved method which makes it possible to obtain a yarnof higher strength, having a level of strength at least equal to that ofthe so-called standard yarn made by conventional methods which do notutilize rotary spinning cham- 'bers.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such animproved method which is relatively simple and which makes possible theapplication of a liquid of desired character, such as a dye, a sizingagent or the like, directly onto the yarn during the formation of thesame.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus forcarrying out the method. In purusance of the above objects, and otherswhich will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the inventionresides, briefly stated, in a method of spinning yarn from fibersdeposited on an interior fiber-collecting surface of a rotary spinningchamber, wherein there are provided the steps of forming on thecollecting surface a layer of liquid, admitting the fibers into thespinning chamber and depositing them into the liquid, converting thethus deposited fibers into a yarn, and withdrawing the yarn from thespinning chamber against the resistance exerted by the liquid.

The liquid itself may, as already suggested above, be a yarn finishingagent, a dyeing, a sizing agent, an anti-static agent, or any otherliquid agent with which it is desired to treat the fibers and thereforethe yarn.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic,partially sectioned overview illustrating an apparatus according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional detail view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating adetail of a rotary spinning chamber in the apparatus according to thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing indetail, it will be seen that reference numeral 1 identifies a partiallyillustrated frame of a spinning machine. The non-illustrated componentsof the spinning machine are of no importance in the context of thepresent invention. It must simply be kept in mind that such spinningmachines usually will have quite a large number of the spinning units ofwhich one is illustrated in FIG. I by way of example.

Mounted on the frame 1 there is secured a housing 2 of the exemplaryspinning unit. The housing 2 is provided with bearings 3 in which ashaft 4 is mounted for rotation. Secured to one end of the shaft 4 is arotary spinning chamber 5 so that it will rotate with the shaft 4 as thelatter is turned by means of the'pulley 6 secured to the remote end ofthe shaft 6 and driven by a non-illustrated prime mover via a drive belt7.

The basic construction of the rotary spinning chamber 5 is alreadyknown. The spinning chamber 5 has a front opening or open side 9 whichcommunicates with an interior space 8 bounded by a so-called slidingsurface 10 which conically diverges in direction away from the open side9 to the fibercollecting surface 11, from which a transverse surface 12extends transversely to the axis of rotation of the spinning chamber 12in inward direction. The surface 12 is provided with a central axiallyextending recess 121 and ventilation or air-escape vents l3 communicatewith the recess l2ll.

' In accordance with the present invention the surface 12 is providedwith relief apertures 14 which surround the axis of rotation and areequi-distantly spaced therefrom. The purpose of the apertures 14, whichin the illustrated embodiment communicate with the air escape vents 13,but which may also communicate directly with the outer surface of thespinning chamber 5 entirely separately from the vents 13, is to permitthe escape of excess liquid from the layer of liquid medium 15 which isto be formed in the chamber. Thus, by their distribution about the axisof rotation and by their spacing from the 3. axis of rotation-and ofcourse thereby from the fiber-collecting surface l1-they also define thephysical area which can be covered by the layer of liquid medium 15, itbeing evident that when the liquid medium of the layer reaches theapertures 14, it will escape therethrough rather than continuing tospread inwardly towards the center recess 12].

Reference numeral 17 identifies the mounting body of the fiberseparating mechanism which forms a part of the illustrated spinningunit. It is provided with a cylindrical projection 16 which extendsthrough the open side 9 into the spinning chamber to the indicatedextent. A known carding roller 18 is mounted for rotation in a recessprovided in the body 17 for this purpose, and a feed roller 19 islocated adjacent to the carding roller 18 and serves to feed the same afibrous sliver 20. The carding roller 18, which is in conventionalmanner provided with carding teeth or the like (not illustrated)separates the sliver 20 into its constituent fibers which are suppliedbecause of the velocity imparted to them by the rotation of the cardingroller 18, through a supply channel 21 into the interior of the spinningchamber 5.

A yarn withdrawing channel or opening 22 is provided in the projection16 and communicates with the interior 8 of the spinning chamber 5, so asto permit the withdrawal of spun yam 23 therefrom. The inlet opening tothe withdrawing channel 22 in the illustrated embodiment is locatedcoaxially with the axis of rotation of the spinning chamber 5. A sensor24, for instance for detecting yarn breakage, is provided exteriorly ofthe body 17 and the yarn 23 is withdrawn through or over the sensor 24by the action of a pair of conventional withdrawing rollers 25 whichsupply the yarn 23 to a known friction-distributing roller 26 againstwhich a bobbin 27, mounted on arms 28, bears to be rotated by the drivenroller 26.

As shown, channel 22 communicates via a bore 29 provided for thispurpose in the body 17, with a liquid dosing or metering device 30 whichin turn communicates with a supply source 31 of a suitable liquidmedium.

The dosing or metering device 30 supplies predetermined quantities ofliquid medium derived from the supply 31 into the bore 29. This may takeplace for instance at regular intervals and the medium may be of anytype with which it is desired to treat the fibers and the yarn, such asa dye solution, a sizing agent, an anti-static agent, or whatever mediumit is desired to employ. Because the interior 8 of the chamber 5 isunder underpressure due to the escape of air under the infiuence ofcentrifugal forces through the vents l3, and because the bore 29communicates with the interior 8 via the withdrawing channel 22, theliquid supplied by the metering device 30 is aspirated from bore 29 intowithdrawing channel 22 and from there into the interior 8 of the chamber5. On entryv into the chamber 5 the liquid becomes deposited on thefiber-collecting surface 11, forming a layer 15 of liquid mediumthereon. The doses of liquid are so chosen that the liquid will form onthe collecting surface a continuous annulus which extends radiallyinwardly to the liquid relief apertures 14, through which excess liquidis relieved, that is vented to the outside.

The incoming fibers supplied by the carding roller 18 enter the chamber5 and impinge upon the sliding surface, 10, being aided in their entryand impingement by the underpressure existing in the chamber. The airflow existing in the chamber due to the escape of air through the ventsl3, aided by the divergence of the surface and by the centrifugal forcesacting upon the fibers, causes the fibers to slide along the surface 10until they reach the fiber-collecting surface 11 where they becomeimmersed in the layer 15 of liquid medium, forming a 1 ribbon-shaped webon this surface 1 1. Due to the fact that this ribbon adheres to therespectively trailing end portion of the yarn 23 being withdrawn, thefibers of ribbon 24 are wrapped around the trailing end of the yarn 23which is being withdrawn by the rollers 25, and thus the ribbon becomestwisted about its longitudinal axis and converted into additional yarnincrements.

The presence of the liquid medium layer 15 on the fiber-collectingsurface 11 exerts a resistance upon the fiber ribbon 24 and consequentlyupon the yarn 23, so that the fibers are withdrawn from the surface 11against this resistance while they are becoming twisted to take theshape of yarn 23. Because of this, the quality of the yarn produced isincreased in the same manner in which this was sought to be obtained byproviding needle-like projections on the fiber-collecting surface ofprior-art rotary spinning chambers, but without the disadvantagesaccruing from the use of such projections. In other words, theadvantages are obtained which result from having the resistance of theliquid exert a retarding force upon the fibers of the ribbon 24, butnone of the disadvantages are experienced which result from theprior-art use of needle-like projections rather than the liquid layer15.

It is clear that because of this primary use of the liquid layer 15, anysuitable liquid medium may be used, and that it is not essential for thebasic purpose of the present invention that the liquid medium be capableof affording any type of treatment to the fibers and the yarn other thanto exert a drag or resistance upon the fibers of the ribbon 24. it isequally clear, however, that a suitable treating medium of liquid naturemay be employed, or may be admixedwith whatever other liquid medium isused, for instance a dyestufl' which thus simultaneously dyes the fibersand the yarn as the latter comes into being. Also, sizing agents or thelike can be employed as already indicated earlier.

. It will be appreciated that it is not necessary to supply the liquidmedium to the interior of the spinning chamber 5 via the withdrawingchannel 22. For instance, to name just one other posibility, anindependent separate channel could be provided in the body 17 andcommunicate with the dosing or metering device 30. This independentchannel could for instance have an outlet within the interior of thechamber 5 which is oriented radially or tangentially with reference tothe surface 10. It would also be posible to have the device 30 supplyliquid continuously, rather than to supply it intermittently. Stillfurther modifications will offer themselves to those skilled in the anand are intended to be encompassed within the scope and concept of thepresent invention.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in othertypes ofconstruction differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in aspinning machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown,since various modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. In a method of spinning yarn from fibers deposited on an interiorfiber-collecting surface of a rotary spinning chamber, the steps offorming on said collecting surface a layer of liquid; admitting thefibers into said spinning chamber and depositing them into said liquid;converting the thus deposited fibers into a yarn; and withdrawing saidyarn from said spinning chamber against the resistance exerted by saidliquid.

2. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming saidlayer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid yarn finishingagent.

3. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming saidlayer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid dyeing agent.

4. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming saidlayer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid sizing agent.

5. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of forming saidlayer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid antistatic agent.

6. In a method as defined in claim 1, said chamber having an interiorwhich is at underpressure and being provided with one outlet throughwhich said yarn is withdrawn; and wherein the step of forming said layercomprises drawing a liquid medium into said chamber through said outletas a function of said underpressure.

7. In a spinning machine, in combination, a rotary spinning chambermounted for rotation about a predetermined axis and having an interiorbounded by an inner circumferential surface annularly surrounding saidaxis, said spinning chamber having an open side and said surfacediverging radially away from said open side in axial direction of saidchamber, a transverse surface extending inwardly from saidcircumferential surface remote from said open side and transversely ofsaid axis, and a central axial recess in said transverse surface; air

escape vents communicating with said recess; liquid-admitting means foradmitting a liquid into said chamber so as to form a liquid layer onsaid surfaces; and relief openings in said transverse surface for escapeof excess liquid from said chamber.

8. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7, wherein said reliefopenings surround and are equi-distantly spaced from said axis ofrotation.

9. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7; further comprising acover extending across said open side and provided with ayarn-withdrawing channel.

10. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 9, said liquidadmittingmeans comprising a liquid supply, a liquid metering device receivingliquid from said supply and metering it in predetermined doses, andconduit means connecting said device with said yarn-withdrawing channelfor admitting the doses of liquid into said chamber.

11. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7, wherein said reliefopenings communicate with said air-escape vents.

i i t i l

1. In a method of spinning yarn from fibers deposited on an interiorfiber-collecting surface of a rotary spinning chamber, the steps offorming on said collecting surface a layer of liquid; admitting thefibers into said spinning chamber and depositing them into said liquid;converting the thus deposited fibers into a yarn; and withdrawing saidyarn from said spinning chamber against the resistance exerted by saidliquid.
 2. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step offorming said layer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid yarnfinishing agent.
 3. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the stepof forming said layer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquiddyeing agent.
 4. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step offorming said layer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid sizingagent.
 5. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of formingsaid layer comprises admitting into said chamber a liquid antistaticagent.
 6. In a method as defined in claim 1, said chamber having aninterior which is at underpressure and being provided with one outletthrough which said yarn is withdrawn; and wherein the step of formingsaid layer comprises drawing a liquid medium into said chamber throughsaid outlet as a function of said underpressure.
 7. In a spinningmachine, in combination, a rotary spinning chamber mounted for rotationabout a predetermined axis and having an interior bounded by an innercircumferential surface annularly surrounding said axis, said spinningchamber having an open side and said surface diverging radially awayfrom said open side in axial direction of said chamber, a transversesurface extending inwardly from said circumferential surface remote fromsaid open side and transversely of said axis, and a central axial recessin said transverse surface; air escape vents communicating with saidrecess; liquid-admitting means for admitting a liquid into said chamberso as to form a liquid layer on said surfaces; and relief openings insaid transverse surface for escape of excess liquid from said chamber.8. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7, wherein said reLiefopenings surround and are equi-distantly spaced from said axis ofrotation.
 9. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7; furthercomprising a cover extending across said open side and provided with ayarn-withdrawing channel.
 10. In a spinning machine as defined in claim9, said liquid-admitting means comprising a liquid supply, a liquidmetering device receiving liquid from said supply and metering it inpredetermined doses, and conduit means connecting said device with saidyarn-withdrawing channel for admitting the doses of liquid into saidchamber.
 11. In a spinning machine as defined in claim 7, wherein saidrelief openings communicate with said air-escape vents.